Keel Damage

[msbhammer]

Ok, this is my next project once the bow is done. This really annoys the hell out of me too. After ten coats of Interlux barrier coat and then bottom painting, my keel is getting banged up big time. Do trailers come with a guard where the center rail ends ??. I think thats what the boat is hitting. Or if I was to move the keel roller farther back, would that fix the problem ??
Dont really want to buy a keel guard, they are way way overpriced. Thinking of cutting a old tire and rapping it at the end of the trailer and see if that works.
Looks like more painting again. >:( >:( >:( >:(

What about the rollers on the trailer ??, looks like AIRSLOT had them tight in one position. I loosened them up so they would move more freely. Having the rollers arms tight in one position angled up, maybe that would clear that part of the trailer my keel keeps on running into ???
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02443.jpg

[msbhammer]

Ok, this is my next project once the bow is done. This really annoys the hell out of me too. After ten coats of Interlux barrier coat and then bottom painting, my keel is getting banged up big time. Do trailers come with a guard where the center rail ends ??. I think thats what the boat is hitting. Or if I was to move the keel roller farther back, would that fix the problem ??
Dont really want to buy a keel guard, they are way way overpriced. Thinking of cutting a old tire and rapping it at the end of the trailer and see if that works.
Looks like more painting again. >:( >:( >:( >:(

What about the rollers on the trailer ??, looks like AIRSLOT had them tight in one position. I loosened them up so they would move more freely. Having the rollers arms tight in one position angled up, maybe that would clear that part of the trailer my keel keeps on running into ???
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02443.jpg

[msbhammer]

Ok, this is my next project once the bow is done. This really annoys the hell out of me too. After ten coats of Interlux barrier coat and then bottom painting, my keel is getting banged up big time. Do trailers come with a guard where the center rail ends ??. I think thats what the boat is hitting. Or if I was to move the keel roller farther back, would that fix the problem ??
Dont really want to buy a keel guard, they are way way overpriced. Thinking of cutting a old tire and rapping it at the end of the trailer and see if that works.
Looks like more painting again. >:( >:( >:( >:(

What about the rollers on the trailer ??, looks like AIRSLOT had them tight in one position. I loosened them up so they would move more freely. Having the rollers arms tight in one position angled up, maybe that would clear that part of the trailer my keel keeps on running into ???
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02443.jpg

[Airslot]

Hammer, I never had a problem with my "V" hittting the trailer. With my "newer" trailer it was a problem and I installed a keel roller, I'll look for a pic.

[Airslot]

Hammer, I never had a problem with my "V" hittting the trailer. With my "newer" trailer it was a problem and I installed a keel roller, I'll look for a pic.

[Airslot]

Hammer, I never had a problem with my "V" hittting the trailer. With my "newer" trailer it was a problem and I installed a keel roller, I'll look for a pic.

[msbhammer]

Was thinking the same thing, but, add another roller in front of the keel roller that is already there.

[msbhammer]

Was thinking the same thing, but, add another roller in front of the keel roller that is already there.

[msbhammer]

Was thinking the same thing, but, add another roller in front of the keel roller that is already there.

[C YENSEN]

Hammer,

you got bunks or rollers? my trailer has rollers and I do not have the roller you have in the photo. But i dont think my trailer is set up like yours. I dont have that center post like you. I will go look and take a pic or two

[msbhammer]

Not sure if a keel roller will work. Can't move that cross section support bracket. Looks like the old rubber tire trick maybe ???

[phatdaddy]

not sure if we're talking about the same problem, my keel was hitting the last axle when the boat was loaded at a steep ramp. I took a piece of scrap starboard and "5200ed" it to the axle. it still hits, but doesnt ding it.

[macojoe]

sink the trailer deeper!! Had that problem with old trailer, sink the trailer and pull it up higher, miss all the rear rollers and crank winch less.

I can't see my rollers when I back down, they just under the water.

[msbhammer]

CY. I have rollers as well. Maybe I just need to sink the trailer more. If it matters at all, the ramp I unload the boat at must be the steepest one on the east coast. This baby has a drop off.

[macojoe]

I don't know about that?? We have some real deep drop off on some of are ramps!!

[msbhammer]

AIRSLOT, would something like this work. Just remove those center support bolts and put this on. ??????

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/keelroller.jpg

[macojoe]

To skinny, need a 12" roller in the rear as you never know were its going to hit!

[macojoe]

Try these on rear section of trailer or were you might think its hitting.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/369170949.htm

[Airslot]

I think that we are all talking about somehting different. When I was refering to a keel roller, I was talking about a roller that mounts to the rearmost crossmember, at the end of the trailer. When I launch and load, the tires are the only thing wet, those bearings were never in the water by me, so going deeper isn't the answer. I think the bracket / roller you posted would solve your issues.

[randlemanboater]

Hammer,

I have seen a thing on some newer bunk trailers near the front that looks like a kinda flat "V" made out of PVC material that centers the boat and keeps it from hitting metal.

Look up some new trailers, you will see one.

[Blue_Runner]

Hey RB - that is similar to what must have happened to my V. I've got a guy really really interested in it right now. Ringing my phone off the hook but I'm not there when he calls and he's not there when I call. ???

I still haven't fixed the hole or cleaned the boat. Maybe this weekend since its not supposed to be so hot.

Looks to me like whoever buys my V is going to need a wider or bigger keel roller to prevent that in the future.

[C YENSEN]

hammer,

you got bunks or rollers?

[Stillrunning]

In your picture it looks as your boat sits real close to the main frame where your roller is mounted. Cloud you be hitting that section of the frame? If so just add a peice of heavy rubber. I'd just watch as you launch and retrieve until you find were your hitting instead of fixing and guessing.

[Seacrets]

Gotta agree with MJ on this one. The ramp angle and how much trailer is in the water can correct your problem. Your first contact with your boat and trailer is the metal frame. In Florida we have some skinny ramps and in alot of cases you have to get the tires and bearing buddies wet. Make certain you pack the bearings good and you have no leaking seals. If you drop a hot bearing in the water it will suck water in the bearing from the leaking seal. Good luck

[macojoe]

On my old trailer, I had for 6 years, Not once in that time did I ever have bad bearings!!
Every fall I take the barrings out wash them repack and grease every couple of trips, I have always put wheels under water!!

[parishht]

Here are two shots of mine,
the damage on my keel is from the rear supports and
not being lined up correctly.

my front support has two rubber cradles,
by the time the V is up on the trailer at that point,
I am approx 2 feet away from the front support, hooked to the wench
and then pulled the rest of the way.

Notive, no bow roller under the front, all my rollers are rear.

Like MJ said, rollers are under water when loading and unloading.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/trailerfront2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/trailerfront.jpg

[phatdaddy]

Hammer. i think i had a similar problem. when you would load or unload, i could feel a hard bump when the bow was over the axels. *i have a float on style trailer, no rollers with tandem torsion axels. *when i first got the trailer, it was equiped with double 12" rollers on the first crossmember(from the tongue). *it loaded & unloaded great, but the keel hit the first axel. *i then installed the Y bracket. *the keel still hit. *then i installed the bunks and they work great. *i had the repair & glass about 24 inches of the keel, but now its been 3 years and no new dings. *i know you like photos so i tried.

the two original brackets

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0254.jpg

side & front shot of the new bunks

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0255.jpg


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0256.jpg

the "whiter " area is the part I had to re-glass & the carpet scraped off the paint.
hope it helps

[msbhammer]

Thanks Phats and Parishht. You guys got the same dings that I do. So I must be doing something right then. ;D Parishht, you and I have the same trailer set up.
Question: do keel rollers go on the frame "and" axel or just on the cross frame trailer supports ?

[tsubaki]

For what it's worth, on a 15' trihull that I use only a few times a year I (for lack of a better word) africanized my trailer with glide slicks and cutting board material (then not knowing about Starboard and the like) because the rollers would flatten, stick and need replacing every two years. This setup is very quick on and off the trailer so I have to be careful. Don't know if any of this will possibly help.

[tsubaki]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/P3290521.jpg

[tsubaki]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/P3290522.jpg

[tsubaki]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/P3290523.jpg

[tsubaki]

As you see the roller area is taken up by the cutting board material and the 2bys are no consiquence to carrying weight between the supports and the V locations also act as centering. Yes it looks silly but is very functional.

[parishht]

MSBHAMMER, here is a pic of the rest of my trailer,
I hope you can see what you are looking for.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/trailerrear.jpg

[macojoe]

My trailer is just like you guys have all rollers to the rear and no keel rollers.
Never hit a thing!! got to get her deeper!!

[parishht]

My trailer is just like you guys have all rollers to the rear and no keel rollers.
Never hit a thing!! got to get her deeper!!

And you have to be straight on.

Tidal flow makes that very interesting.

[phatdaddy]

MJ a lot depends on the ramp. locally, the ramp is about 25 ft long with a stop on the end. if you bump over the stop, the water is about 6 ft deep. at low tide it gets interesting

[randlemanboater]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0254.jpg






The "V" bracket in the pic is what I was talking about HAMMER.

[msbhammer]

Thanks guys, Great Pics. Parrisht, your boat/keel sits up alot higher then mine.

[regidog]

this is another idea
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/regidog/trailerbounks.jpg
similiar to others here

[msbhammer]

Nice Pic. RED, but doesnt fit my budget. ;D

[reelapeelin]

Nice Pic. RED, but doesnt fit my budget. ;D




I think he's talkin' about the bow-bunks up front there, Hammerman... ;) ...

[msbhammer]

Duh. sorry about that . Didnt get the whole picture on what he was trying to say.
Thanks REEL. ;D

[reelapeelin]

Duh. sorry about that . Didnt get the whole picture on what he was trying to say.
Thanks REEL. ;D




You da MAN, Hammer!!...keep it goin' buddy ;) ;D ;D ...

[Skools Out]

Hammer you could just buy my V20's old Tandem aluminum trailer.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/MVC-049S.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/MVC-051S.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/MVC-045S.jpg

[msbhammer]

SKOOL, whats that word again ????
"BUY", thats a new word to me. Is it like the word "Freebee" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :P

[parishht]

HAMMER, now that it is getting close to "open the trailer" as in
camping, season, Steamboat Landing will probably open a lot while the owner
is getting things ready.

So feel free to go and check my boat trailer if you want.

The swing gate will be blocked, but the gate to the right of
that one will be open, if the owner is in the park.

You can't miss him, he has red hair and a red beard.
Very friendly guy, just tell him I gave you permission to look at
my boat.

[msbhammer]

Can I bring my tools in case I see something I like on your V. ;D

What is your lot # of your trailer. Is your V parked on your lot ?

[parishht]

Sure, take your tools,
lot # 816A and it is on the lot.

[msbhammer]

I'm off Monday and Tues. Might just take a ride by. ;)

[msbhammer]

Check this little thing a bob out. Ever see one. ???

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02453.jpg

[msbhammer]

And it goes right here. ;D Might take care of te problem.
But will sink the trailer a bit deeper and see if I still scrape when I crank her in. So hopefully I can crank the boat down far enough and drill two holes and mount it, instead of dropping the boat in the water to get it done.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02454.jpg

[parishht]

Personally, I would put it on now.

You have rollers, so just un crank a little, push the V back
and git r dun.

[tsubaki]

this is another idea
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/regidog/trailerbounks.jpg
similiar to others here
Yeah!! Now that's what I'm talking about

[msbhammer]

Yo Parishht, I busted my hump trying to slide teh V back a few feet on the rollers. I could lift the bow, but she wouldnt roll. :-/ I must be a wuss. :-X

[parishht]

It shouldn't be tha hard, are all the tie downs disconected?

[Warner_Foster]

Hook up the boat/ trailor to your vehicle tie off the lift eyes on the stern to a tree or something an drive foward a few feet. Don't forget to tie off the bow eye to the winch post

[macojoe]

ha ha Hammer steps on gas and V now in the drive way!! ;)

[msbhammer]

LOL, I'll try it when my pinched nerve in my neck is better. Not to change teh topic, but any old hippies out there ?? Lisa just picked up the sound track from the movie HAIR. I love the hippie songs. I was just a young buck back then, but enjoyed the music. ;D

[willy]

What do ya mean old hippies ???

Are ya old if ya were born in the fifties

Grew up in the sixties

Graduated in the early seventies

Retired in 2007 from one job and started a new career

I think not young man, stick your hand out so it can be smacked.

[willy]

And Hair was OK, not really a hippie thing more of a new age play type thing.

Now if you were talking some San Fransico sounds, some Richie Haven, some CSNY, some Dillon, some Joan Baez and a couple hundred others of that era you'd be talking some hippie sh!t.

Of which I know nothing 8)

[msbhammer]

SMACK :-X My bad. ;D I enjoy the song HAIR. as far as some oldies, I recall Jefferson Airplane, then some more wild groups, Alice Cooper, The Doors,
Mamma's and the Pappa's. Iron Butterfly. I sometimes miss the long hair that I had many many moons ago. ;D

[msbhammer]

Willy, not to hijack my own thread, but as I stated before, Delaware is at least 20 years behind the times in benefits for police officers. I had a F.O.P. meeting with all members tonight to ratify the contract. The contract was agreed upon. So its offical, we finally have a state pension retirement plan for police. 20 years and out. Disability, ect. We took a hit on raises that bothered the youger guys, but we can worry about more money in the future. Pension is the most important.
Raise was only a 2.75 percent for each year of the contract. But I managed to get the city to cave in and agree to steps through out the ranks. So each year the officer will recieve a additional 3 percent raise for the step or "longevity". So they are actually recieving a 5.75 percent raise. So as the Moderator...oops, thats M.J., as the President of the F.O.P., I'll be signing off on it next week. Its a three year contract. Also managed to get in a few non cost factors that makes a few things earsier for te road toads as well.

[parishht]

Speaking of GOOD music,
I always stream one of these two links into my office.

They are both of WMGK out of Philadelphia.
Their format is 1960's on up rock.

First is their regular FM station:

http://gmppodcast.com/stream/WMGK/

The second one is their digital station,
they play some really obscur stuff on this one:

http://gmppodcast.com/stream/wmgk2/

[phatdaddy]

I miss my hair, not the music from "Hair". Hey Willy don't forget Country Joe McDonald and the Fish........



"Gimme a F.........."